TSTC spring graduates honored with virtual celebration

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College honored 138 West Texas spring 2020 graduates with a virtual celebration on June 12.

Rick Denbow, who retired as TSTC’s West Texas provost in May, offered his congratulations to the students.

“We are very proud of you and wish you all the best in your careers. I am proud to call each of you a member of the TSTC family,” he said.

TSTC Associate Provost Raquel Mata said it was not the graduation celebration that either TSTC or the students envisioned. Social distancing and attendance limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of May’s commencement ceremony.

“We predicted a roomful of excited graduates and their families, mixed in with proud TSTC faculty and staff,” Mata said. “But COVID-19 changed all that. The virus has created many unique situations worldwide. It has changed the way we learn, communicate and do business. For you, specifically, the pandemic changed your last semester with us. However, you embraced it and continued on.”

Mata said the need for skilled workers is apparent in Texas.

“We know there is a demand for skilled workers in Texas, now more than ever, and the demand will only continue to grow,” she said.

The celebration included a list of names of candidates for graduation representing the Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater campuses.

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.